Prevalence of Melanocytic Nevi and Freckles in Young Israeli Males: Correlation with Melanoma Incidence in Jewish Migrants: Demographic and Host Factors

Abstract

The role of host and environmental factors in the pathogenesis of multiple melanocytic nevi, atypical nevi, and freckles was studied in 1989 in a random sample of 3,040 Israeli males aged 17 years. Multiple melanocytic nevi were significantly associated with family history of melanoma or multiple melanocytic nevi (odds ratio (OR) = 15.0), fair or lightly pigmented skin color (OR = 2.7 and 2.3, respectively), and affiliation to the high or heterogenous melanoma risk group, determined by the incidence rates of melanoma in Jewish migrants from corresponding origin (OR = 3.1 and 2.1, respectively). An environment-related effect may account for the increased multiple melanocytic nevi risk among second- (OR = 8.2) compared with first-generation, native-born recruits (OR = 3.0) from the high melanoma risk group whose families had been living in Israel the longest. Atypical nevi were associated with fair (OR = 6.1) and lightly pigmented (OR = 3.5) skin color, high and moderate sunburn susceptibility (OR = 4.7 and 2.5, respectively), and family history of melanoma or multiple melanocytic nevi (OR = 4.7). Freckles were significantly associated with sun-sensitive phenotype, family history of melanoma or multiple melanocytic nevi (OR = 1.5). Conservative (OR = 1.9) or nonreligious status (OR = 1.9), and high (OR = 2.4) or heterogenous melanoma risk groups (OR = 1.8). These findings indicate that environmental factors may modify the occurrence of multiple melanocytic nevi and freckles in genetically susceptible ethnic groups.

The Pathogenesis of Melanoma Induced by Ultraviolet Radiation

“…Indeed, the ap-pearance of freckles in children, often abruptly after high-dose sun exposure, is consistent with this speculation, because freckles are thought to represent clones of mutated melanocytes 26 and their presence is associated with an increased risk of melanoma. [85][86][87] Some mutations induced by ultraviolet radiation are thought to enable melanocytes to cross the epidermal basement membrane into the dermis, where subsequent proliferation gives rise to junctional nevi. [88][89][90][91][92] Indeed, in children there is an important correlation between sun exposure, particularly intermittent intense exposure, and the development of melanocytic nevi in the exposed areas.…”

“…[88][89][90][91][92] Indeed, in children there is an important correlation between sun exposure, particularly intermittent intense exposure, and the development of melanocytic nevi in the exposed areas. 85,[87][88][89][90][91] Moreover, the presence of multiple nevi is also associated with an increased risk of melanoma. 14,87,93 In opossums, nevi induced by ultraviolet radiation are aneuploid, 92 a characteristic consistent with their being nevi that have evolved from melanocytes with mutations induced by ultraviolet radiation.…”

“…85,[87][88][89][90][91] Moreover, the presence of multiple nevi is also associated with an increased risk of melanoma. 14,87,93 In opossums, nevi induced by ultraviolet radiation are aneuploid, 92 a characteristic consistent with their being nevi that have evolved from melanocytes with mutations induced by ultraviolet radiation.…”

Red and/or blonde hair association with pigmentary glaucoma in Israel

“…The prevalence of red and/or blonde hair among POAG patients was similar to its prevalence in the general young population of Israel, which is between 3% and 5.4%. 9,10 By itself, this finding suggests that red and/or blonde hair may be associated with PG besides male gender, myopia and Caucasian lineage.…”

“…[1][2][3] It has been our clinical impression that the prevalence of red and/or blonde hair among our PG patients by far surpasses its prevalence in the general population of Israel, which is between 3% and 5.4%. 9,10 To confirm this perception, we undertook a prospective survey in our glaucoma clinic to determine the prevalence of red and/or blonde hair among PG patients and to compare it with that of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients. We also studied the clinical findings of PG patients with different hair color.…”